Egged on by her ambitious son, Shah Bano Begum now wants a Rajya Sabha ticket

It rained torrents and yet, it was the dawn of a new era. One cloudy morning last fortnight, everybody who was anybody converged on Bangalore Palace for a most unusual alliance. The tie-up was between politics and media. And tying the knot were Sujatha, 24, daughter of Congress(I) leader S. Bangarappa, and Tilak Kumar, 32, director of the Deccan Herald group. Said the groom: "It's a little odd getting married into a politician's family. But I don't think that it is going to affect the paper's policy at all." The bride blushed: "I got married to him because he is Tilak Kumar, not because he is a newspaper magnate." The happiest was pa-in-law Bangarappa: "Naturally I am happy.

Sheldon: the Indian mystery

As for people saying that now I will get more publicity in Deccan Herald, am I not getting enough already?" This is not all: Sujatha's sister will soon marry Shivanna, son of actor Raj Kumar. It's a small world, after all.

If Ramesh Sippy can plagiarise The Magnificent Seven into a block-busting Sholay, he can also produce some pretty authentic stuff. Guess what Sippy has brought in from the other side of midnight? Sidney Sheldon, no less, the master of the pulp fiction game. On the books is a collaboration plan that calls for Sheldon to pen an Indian story for the world market, which Sippy might then make into a film. The best-selling writer, who was on a week's visit to Bombay and Delhi last fortnight, has a soft corner for India. "Yeah," said the frizzy-haired American.

Bachchan: mother in waiting

"India is a place of mysteries, it gives me ideas." Great ones for the box-office, to be sure. But until the deal is signed, neither Sheldon nor Sippy is spilling the bloodline.

Now has it or has it not come to roost at the Bachchans? The stork, that is. For well over a fortnight now, there have been rumours that Jaya Bachchan, 36, petite and mother of two, is expecting again - a third time. The Guddi herself is seen at parties radiant and glowing, and when asked to confirm, gives a nod and a smile that says it all.

Shah Bano: aiming high

But when the newspapers box the item, ma-in-law Teji Bachchan denies it hotly and lashes out at the press for selling itself to spice and sensationalism. "It's a lie - a silly rumour," said Mama Bachchan last fortnight. "She's not - not in the near future, not in the present future." But back to the parties again, and there Jaya is - all nods and blushes and mysterious smiles. Now who will break this pregnant silence?

By now, Shah Bano Begum, 73, is a household name. But the Begum is not content with being the Muslims' cause celebre. Egged on by her ambitious son, she now wants more - a Rajya Sabha ticket, if you please. In the capital last fortnight, Shah Bano declared with a twinkle in her kohl-rimmed eyes: "We have always been staunch supporters of the Congress(I) and now that I am so well-known, the party can use my name." Of course, there has been no offer from the party yet. "But if Rajiv asks me, I'm willing to stand for election."

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